Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 20, Number 20, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 November 1898 — Pickled Fish on Trees. [ARTICLE]

Pickled Fish on Trees.

An Irish officer who had served at Malta was one day at a public dinner. Expatiating on the luxurious living at Malta, he spoke particularly of the excellent quality of the anchovies. He had never seen any like them anywhere else. He spoke of a grove of them which ha had seen growing in the governor’s garden upon the esplanade. A gentleman present dispute,! the statement that ancliovlesTgrow on trees. The Irishman reaffirmed It most emphatically. A challenge was given aud accepted. On the following day th,j parties met, atteuded by their seconds. At the first tire the Irishman’s shot took effect In Ills opponent’s thigh, the ball hitting the bone and causing such a shock that the latter fell upon his back in such pain that he kieked his hods vigorously. ‘T’ faith, major," said the IrisTTßan’s second, “you’ve hit your man, but I think not dangerously, for see wbat lively capers he is cutting.” "Capers! Capers!” exclaimed the Irishman with a start. “Oh, by th+ powers, what have I done? Bad luck to me forever for such a dreadful mistake!” And hastening to the side of his antagonist. who had been raised to a sitting posture, he grasped his hand, saying as he did so: “My dear friend, I hope you’re uot killed, and If I’ve harmed you seriously I’ll ask your pardon forever, for I’ve made a murderin’ mistake. It was capers that I saw growing on that tree at Malta,and not anchovies at all!”